Von Berswordt set to play key support role for Vos and Ferrand-Prévot at Paris-Roubaix
Following Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s impressive second place at the Tour of Flanders, all eyes now turn to Paris-Roubaix this Saturday—the next major cobbled classic on the calendar. Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women will line up with star riders Marianne Vos and Ferrand-Prévot as their leading contenders, but teammate Sophie von Berswordt is also looking forward to the Hell of the North. After an eye-catching 14th place on her debut last year, she returns to northern France with fond memories. Together with sportive director Jan Boven, she previews the iconic race.
Von Berswordt will take the start alongside Vos and Ferrand-Prévot, something she’s clearly excited about. “It’s really special to be able to work for riders like them. You try to do your job as well as you can so Marianne and Pauline can save energy for the finale. And when you see them fighting for victory at the end, it gives you such a sense of fulfillment.”
Vos and Ferrand-Prévot will be the team’s main cards on Saturday, and Boven is confident they can deliver a strong performance. “I expect both of them to be in the mix in the final, as long as they stay clear of bad luck. We know this course suits Marianne very well. For Pauline, it will be her debut, but given how strong she’s riding right now, I fully expect her to animate the race too.”
Von Berswordt made her debut in the Hell of the North last year, finishing a remarkable 14th and leaving a lasting impression. “It’s such a brutal race, but also so iconic. There’s something really special about it—especially when you ride into the Roubaix Velodrome. That’s such an incredible feeling, something I’ll never forget.”
“Of course, it would be amazing if I could deliver a similar result to last year”, continues the 28-year-old Dutch rider. “But Paris-Roubaix is the kind of race where anything can happen and bad luck is always lurking. I think my mountain biking background has given me the technical skills to handle the cobbles well, and I really hope to play a meaningful role again in the finale.”
"I really hope to play a meaningful role again in the finale"
Last Sunday, Von Berswordt also made her debut at the Tour of Flanders—an experience she looks back on with joy. “I feel like I’ve had a really nice spring so far. I actually wasn’t supposed to race Flanders, but I ended up getting a start number, and that was a great opportunity. It’s such a special race, and I really enjoyed it.”
Sportive director Jan Boven is equally pleased with her performance. “Of course, it’s a pity we didn’t win, but when the world champion takes the victory, and you come second, you know you’ve had a strong race. The team rode incredibly well, and Sophie was an important part of that. She’s excellent when it comes to positioning, and she made sure Marianne and Pauline were in the right place at the right time.”
Alongside Von Berswordt, Vos, and Ferrand-Prévot, the six-rider lineup for Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women also includes Imogen Wolff, Margaux Vigie, and Linda Riedmann.
